Cruise through the picturesque klongs (canals)
that run off the Chao Phraya River and see a tranquil
side to Bangkok. A long tailed motorboat takes you by
waterside temples and traditional wooden stilted houses
through an area where boat rather than car is the
favoured form of transportation. Kids swim and wave
whilst women wash and the occassional water lizard
scuttles by. Stop at a small floating market before
returning to the Chao Phraya and pass by the Royal Barges
and Grand Palace. Finally visit the Khmer style Wat Arun
- the Temple of Dawn - studded with thousands of mosaics
of glimmering Chinese porcelain. Its central column
stands an imposing 282 feet high and a panoramic vista of
the river can be had by those with the energy to climb it.
Bangkoks landmark monument-
the traditional home of the Kings of Siam - also contains
the most sacred temple in Thailand - the Temple of the
Emerald Buddha. The palace dates from 1782 and can best
be described as a walled city covering an area of over a
square mile. It contains a number of buildings that are
considered to be amongst the finest examples of Thai
architecture and a range of stunning artifacts, notably
the gorgeous gold throne in the Amarin Vinichai Hall. The
temple dates from 1785 and is recognised as being the
most ornate in the kingdom. It constitutes a collection
of chapels, halls and pavilions famed for its bronze and
gold murals, images and statues, and renowned for its
overall quality of workmanship.Carved from a single piece
of jade and thirty one inches high, the Emerald Buddha
sits on a magnificent altar in the central chapel. It is
perhaps the the most revered image in Thailand.
Possibly Thailands most
photogenic site. Travel by car through rice paddies some
65 miles to the maze of klongs at Damnoen Saduak. Here a
small boat sails you through the colourful chaos of
Thailands largest floating market, giving you the chance
to haggle with the many vendors and experience an
authentic slice of everyday canal life. En route stop at
a coconut farm to see trained monkeys at work, and visit
the Royal Handicraft Center with its displays of
traditonal crafts and arts such as silk weaving and
celadon pottery. Relax for lunch at the Crocodile Farm
where there's an option to see the crocodile wrestling,
feeding acts.
After sailing through
the floating market (see above) visit the beautifully
landscaped Rose Garden complex. Here amongst some 20,000
rose bushes is a replication of a Thai village which
stages a vibrant cultural show displaying varied Thai
lifestyles. Enjoy a range of performances from hilltribe
dancing to Thai boxing, from traditional wedding
ceremonies to a colourful Buddhist ordination procession.
For most, the main attraction is watching a demonstration
of Thai elephants at work, and it certainly nice to see
them away from the streets of Bangkok for a change.
Cruise through the picturesque klongs (canals)
that run off the Chao Phraya River and see a tranquil
side to Bangkok. A long tailed motorboat takes you by
waterside temples and traditional wooden stilted houses
through an area where boat rather than car is the
favoured form of transportation. Kids swim and wave
whilst women wash and the occassional water lizard
scuttles by. Stop at a small floating market before
returning to the Chao Phraya and pass by the Royal Barges
and Grand Palace. Finally visit the Khmer style Wat Arun
- the Temple of Dawn - studded with thousands of mosaics
of glimmering Chinese porcelain. Its central column
stands an imposing 282 feet high and a panoramic vista of
the river can be had by those with the energy to climb it.
Bangkoks landmark monument -
the traditional home of the Kings of Siam - also contains
the most sacred temple in Thailand - the Temple of the
Emerald Buddha. The palace dates from 1782 and can best
be described as a walled city covering an area of over a
square mile. It contains a number of buildings that are
considered to be amongst the finest examples of Thai
architecture and a range of stunning artifacts, notably
the gorgeous gold throne in the Amarin Vinichai Hall. The
temple dates from 1785 and is recognised as being the
most ornate in the kingdom. It constitutes a collection
of chapels, halls and pavilions famed for its bronze and
gold murals, images and statues, and renowned for its
overall quality of workmanship.Carved from a single piece
of jade and thirty one inches high, the Emerald Buddha
sits on a magnificent altar in the central chapel. It is
perhaps the the most revered image in Thailand.
Possibly Thailands most
photogenic site. Travel by car through rice paddies some
65 miles to the maze of klongs at Damnoen Saduak. Here a
small boat sails you through the colourful chaos of
Thailands largest floating market, giving you the chance
to haggle with the many vendors and experience an
authentic slice of everyday canal life. En route stop at
a coconut farm to see trained monkeys at work, and visit
the Royal Handicraft Center with its displays of
traditonal crafts and arts such as silk weaving and
celadon pottery. Relax for lunch at the Crocodile Farm
where there's an option to see the crocodile wrestling,
feeding acts.
After sailing through
the floating market (see above) visit the beautifully
landscaped Rose Garden complex. Here amongst some 20,000
rose bushes is a replication of a Thai village which
stages a vibrant cultural show displaying varied Thai
lifestyles. Enjoy a range of performances from hilltribe
dancing to Thai boxing, from traditional wedding
ceremonies to a colourful Buddhist ordination procession.
For most, the main attraction is watching a demonstration
of Thai elephants at work, and it certainly nice to see
them away from the streets of Bangkok for a change.